DTI orders rollback in bag of flour to P630-P680
The Department of Trade and Industry – National Capital Region (DTI-NCR) issued a Provisional Order on 11 June 2010 refraining flour millers to sell ex-mill flour at a range of P770 –P790 per 25kg bag and reduce it to P630-P680 during the pendency of the profiteering case.
The 11 flour millers ordered to cut prices are 11 respondents: Delta Milling Industries Inc., Morning Star Milling Corporation, Phil. Foremost Milling Corporation, San Miguel Mills Inc., General Milling Corp., Liberty Flour Mills, Pilmico Foods Corporation, Phil Flour Mills, Republic Flour Milling Corp., Universal Robina Corporation, and Wellington Flour Mills.
The respondents are to submit its comments within 10 days from receipt of the order and explain why the Provisional Order should be revoked or withdrawn by the DTI-NCR.
The Order came after BTRCP on behalf of the consumers filed complaints on 09 June 2010 of profiteering against 11 flour millers at the DTI-NCR. The Provisional Order is part of the prayer requested by Bureau Director Victorio Mario Dimagiba in his filed complaint at the NCR office that restrains the flour millers from selling their flour at P790 per bag and that instructs them to sell instead within the price range of P630-P680 per bag.
Earlier, DTI-NCR served summons to 11 flour millers. In a preliminary hearing to be set, the 11 flour miller respondents will be asked to explain prices of its flour sold at the local market while complainant DTI-BTRCP will report its findings on the international wheat vs flour prices over a period of time.
Complaints against the 11 flour millers were filed separately under Administrative Case Nos. 10-066 to 10-076.
Meantime, DTI assured all millers that the legal process will be observed in accordance with DTI Administrative Order No. 7 Series of 2006 regarding administrative investigation.
